New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-23
SKETCHES OF THE COMMISSIONERS.


Thomas NJ Cooley was born at Attca. N. Y. in 1921.
He studied law In this State and removed Michigan In
1Si3. where he has since resided In 1857 he was
elected compiler of State laws and I'm 1858 he
chosen reporter OF the Supreme Court In 1859 he was
chosen by the regents commissioner to organize the
law department OF the University of Michigan and he has
since been connected with It, In 1864 he elected
Justice of the supreme Court Of Michigan and
elected In 1859 and In 1877. He nominated by the
Republicans for reelection In 1885 and was defeated
Mr. Cooley Is the author OF numerous standard legal
works ana holds high rank rs Jurls He was appointed
last December by United States Judge Gresham as rs
ccvcr Of the Wabash Railroad Company
William r. Morrison who has been OF the most in
terestng figures In the potca field during the past few
years, born In Monroe County. Ill., September "a
1925. lie was reared on farm and after receiving
school education he for time student
at McKendree College, He served In the Mexican war rs
private. Frow 1852 To 1854 he clerk OF the Cir
cult Court Of Monroe County In $50 he was admitted
10 the bar and began 10 practise at Waterloo, where
he has since mnlc his home. From 1854 to 1850 lie
was member Of the Illinois House OF Representatives
serving speaker the last two years During the civil
war served in the Union army colonel OF the 10Th
Illinois Regiment. which he Commanded Mt Fort Done
son. where he severely wounded He elected to
the XXXVIITth Congress Democrat serving from
.Deccmbcr s6. to March g. 1865. In 1864 he was de-
featcd for reelection AMI in 1866 hs again
defeated. In 1870 and 1871 he again served
In the Legislature. In 1872 he elected 10
the XLlIld Congress and served continually from
December 1. 1873. until March 3. 1887 Last year
he was defeated by Icu Baker cp) who had defeated
him IN 1854 and 1866 In this last contest his defeat was
largely due 10 his position on the tariff question In 1874
speaker Kerr asOnishei the country by naming lr Nor
Iisoa chairman CT the Committee on Ways ana Means
passing 10y old and experienced members IKE y >. COX
nnL Fernando Wood. who active candidates for the
place He also held the same position IN the last Two
congresses IN ts position and others of Importance IN
bid and confident and rarely takes advice from
any one. He has the reputation OF be-
ing skilled campaign organizer, but as
taciician and parliamentary leader he has not been
very successful Ia Congress considering the opportun
prominent part In important legislation. but ne is best
known 10 the country for his persistent attack upon The
chairman Of the Ways aud Means Committee and were
Kept u and out ~ season. until the close OF his Con-
Democratic candidate a-nst General Logan before the
Illinois Legislature Tor United states senator.
Augustus schoonmakcr. OF Kingston " V. was bora at
Rochester. Ulster County. \. y. on March =, 1873
lie was educated IN the district schools of Ulster County
aud also by private study. lie brought mp Oh farm
but subsequently studied law. and since 1898 has prac-
scd that profession lie was the law partner OF the late
Senator Ianlenburg from 1896 to ls72 the year Of the
Senator death In 1851 and 1882 Mr. schoonmaker was
town superintendent OF schools and during the years
1860 ,6l and lsG2 he trustee of the Kingston
village, From iSG3 20 1870 he member or the
Kingston school Board lie was also County Judge Of
Ulster County for two terms. lsG.ls7l. In 1873 Mr.
schoonmaker ccs ed 10 the state Senate as Demo
crat from the XIVth District Brccne aud Ulster Coun-
ties defeating Henry g. Connolly nep) for reelection
by majority OF loss. In total vote OF 1919 In 1877
Mr. Schoonmdkcr Was nominated 10y the iciocthlc tOl
vcnt.on Attornc, General. rnd was cectol by plu
raty OF .jil Mr. Treman. the Republican cand
da'c In SO Mr. schoonmakcr was nominated Tor NJ
tnrney General. hut defeated hy The sepubcan can
dlat. Hamilton ward. who wns eli ccd 10y pluallty or
Ilii votes IN -7i he the democratic nominee for
Iud.c OF the Court oi Appeals. but was defeated In
1876 he was pre-. entcd by the AutIammany DELEGATION
frnn New-l ork IN the DcuOcraiic state Convention as
their candidate Governor. AMI delegate 10 the
Democratic National Convention, Ia 1876 aud lsso ana
also To the Chicago Convention In lsSi.
Alace f. Walker Il about forty fOar years Old, ana -
Republican In pol tfr- He studied law with senator
Edlnnnds lie served colonel IN thc u mon Army,
and since War has pracscd law at Rutland IN the
Vermont senate he has taken leading part III aIlhS
legislation solve the railway problem, and mas gwen
much study To ihe question 80, ,..
Walter f. Bragg born IN Alabama in lsiS, Out re
sided In Arkansas from 3t3 until lSbl lie was cu-
ucated at Harvard University and Cambridge Law
school and pracscd law In Alabama for some years At
the close OF the he settled Ia Alabama ana was lor
some years the law partner OF General Morgan Ho has
hcrn leading DeinOcrat In that state Tor some years
and has served National delegate Presidential cce'0r
and member of the Democratic National committee IN
l.sI he was made pr, sicnt of the Alabama state h
rld Commis aud served In that position iour years
during whch time many important questions arising
wcen tho railroads and their customers were satsiac
tIp ...I